Device for suture attachment for minimally invasive heart valve repair

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a suture attachment catheter configured to repair a heart valve by inserting a suture in a valve leaflet of a beating heart of a patient includes a handle control, a flexible catheter body, and a suture attachment assembly at a distal end of the catheter body. The suture attachment assembly can include a rail between a distal clamping jaw hingedly attached to the rail, and a proximal clamping jaw. One of the proximal clamping jaw or distal clamping jaw can be selectively slideable with respect to the other on the rail using a jaw actuator of the control handle to adjust a distance between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw. A needle can be selectively slideable within the catheter body by using a needle actuator of the proximal handle control to penetrate a valve leaflet and insert a suture through the valve leaflet when the valve leaflet is captured between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/818,639 filed Mar. 13, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/647,162 filed Mar. 23, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/728,349 filed Sep. 7, 2018, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to minimally invasive delivery of a suture. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to attaching the suture as an artificial chordae tendineae to a flailing or prolapsing leaflet in a beating heart.

BACKGROUND

The mitral and tricuspid valves inside the human heart include an orifice (annulus), two (for the mitral) or three (for the tricuspid) leaflets and a subvalvular apparatus. The subvalvular apparatus includes multiple chordae tendineae, which connect the mobile valve leaflets to muscular structures (papillary muscles) inside the ventricles. Rupture or elongation of the chordae tendineae results in partial or generalized leaflet prolapse, which causes mitral (or tricuspid) valve regurgitation. A commonly used technique to surgically correct mitral valve regurgitation is the implantation of artificial chordae (usually 4-0 or 5-0 Gore-Tex sutures) between the prolapsing segment of the valve and the papillary muscle.

This procedure was traditionally an open heart operation generally carried out through a median sternotomy and requiring cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamp and cardioplegic arrest of the heart. Using such open heart techniques, the large opening provided by a median sternotomy or right thoracotomy enables the surgeon to see the mitral valve directly through the left atriotomy, and to position his or her hands within the thoracic cavity in close proximity to the exterior of the heart for manipulation of surgical instruments, removal of excised tissue, and/or introduction of an artificial chordae through the atriotomy for attachment within the heart. However, these invasive open heart procedures produce a high degree of trauma, a significant risk of complications, an extended hospital stay, and a painful recovery period for the patient. Moreover, while heart valve surgery produces beneficial results for many patients, numerous others who might benefit from such surgery are unable or unwilling to undergo the trauma and risks of such techniques.

Techniques for minimally invasive thoracoscopic repair of heart valves while the heart is still beating have also been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 8,465,500 to Speziali, which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses a thoracoscopic heart valve repair method and apparatus. Instead of requiring open heart surgery on a stopped heart, the thoracoscopic heart valve repair methods and apparatus taught by Speziali utilize fiber optic technology in conjunction with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as a visualization technique during a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be utilized on a beating heart. More recent versions of these techniques are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,758,393 and 9,192,374 to Zentgraf, which disclose an integrated device that can enter the heart chamber, navigate to the leaflet, capture the leaflet, confirm proper capture, and deliver a suture as part of a mitral valve regurgitation (MR) repair. These minimally invasive repairs are generally performed through a small, between the ribs access point, followed by a puncture into the ventricle through the apex of the heart. Although far less invasive and risky for the patient than an open heart procedure, these procedures are still involving significant recovery time and pain.

It would be advantageous for a minimally invasive suture delivery system to be able to suture valve leaflets in a beating heart procedure without requiring an open surgical approach or an incision into the exterior ventricular wall in order to minimize blood loss and reduce recovery time and pain. To that end, various approaches to heart valve repair using intravascular access have been proposed, including U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007/0118151 and 2013/0035757 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,635,386 and 8,545,551.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are minimally invasive systems and methods for intravascularly accessing the heart and performing a transcatheter repair of a heart valve by inserting a suture as an artificial chordae into a heart valve leaflet. In other embodiments, such systems and methods can be employed in other heart valve repair procedures such an edge to edge repair to coapt leaflets by inserting one or more sutures that retain the leaflets in a coapted positioned or inserting a suture to repair a tear in a leaflet, for example.

In one embodiment, a suture attachment catheter configured to repair a heart valve by inserting a suture in a valve leaflet of a beating heart of a patient includes a handle control, a flexible catheter body, and a suture attachment assembly at a distal end of the catheter body. The suture attachment assembly can include a rail between a distal clamping jaw hingedly attached to the rail, and a proximal clamping jaw. One of the proximal clamping jaw or distal clamping jaw can be selectively slideable with respect to the other on the rail using a jaw actuator of the control handle to adjust a distance between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw. A needle can be selectively slideable within the catheter body by using a needle actuator of the proximal handle control to penetrate a valve leaflet and insert a suture through the valve leaflet when the valve leaflet is captured between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, implantation locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C depict a distal end of a suture attachment device according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict a distal jaw of the suture attachment device of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 3 depicts a proximal clamping jaw of the suture attachment device of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict schematic representations of the routing of one or more sutures through a suture attachment device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5A-5D depict a sequence of steps for inserting one or more sutures into a valve leaflet according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of method steps for inserting one or more sutures into a valve leaflet according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a distal end of a suture attachment device according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8F depict a distal end of a suture attachment device according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9B depict a distal capture assembly of a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict a distal capture assembly of a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict a distal capture assembly of a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment and FIG. 11C depicts an embodiment of a needle for a distal capture assembly.

FIGS. 12A-12F depict various components of distal capture assemblies of leaflet capture catheters according to embodiments.

FIG. 13A-13E depict a distal capture assembly of a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 14A-14H depict a control handle of a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 15A-15B depict a control handle of a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a method for inserting a leaflet capture catheter into a beating heart of a patient according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 17A-17G depict various steps in a method of inserting a suture in a beating heart of a patient to function as an artificial chordae according to an embodiment.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application describes various devices and methods that can be employed on the beating heart of a patient in a minimally invasive manner to treat mitral valve regurgitation as described above. Embodiments as described herein can be used to restrain a prolapsing leaflet to prevent leaflet prolapse and to promote leaflet coaptation. In other embodiments, such systems and methods can be employed in other heart valve repair procedures such an edge to edge repair to coapt leaflets by inserting one or more sutures that retain the leaflets in a coapted positioned or inserting a suture to repair a tear in a leaflet, for example.

FIGS. 1A-1C depict a distal end 102 of a suture attachment device 100 according to an embodiment. Suture attachment device 100 can be configured as leaflet attachment catheter with the distal end 102 being the distal capture portion of the leaflet attachment catheter. In embodiments, the catheter is configured to enter the patient through a delivery sheath which is inserted at the groin, extends through the inferior vena cava to the right atrium and then through a transseptal puncture into the left atrium. The catheter has a shaft or body 104 of a length to extend through the delivery sheath while allowing the distal end 102 to extend distal to the distal end of the delivery sheath within the patient while also extending proximally to the proximal end of the delivery sheath at the proximal end of the catheter allowing the physician to access the control handle attached to the proximal end of the catheter. In such an embodiment, the catheter body 104 can be flexible.

In embodiments, the total working length of the catheter body can be between about 130 cm and 140 cm. On a typical patient, this length enables the catheter to be advanced into the heart from the groin with additional length for the delivery system catheters and control handles. The catheter can be flexible and configured to be able to flex around a curve having a diameter between 0.75 inches and 1.5 inches, such as, for example, a 0.9 inch diameter curve, depending on the septal puncture location and the specific anatomy of the patient. In other embodiments, the total working length can be between about 100 cm and 170 cm in order to accommodate very short or very tall patients.

In embodiments, the working length of the distal end 102 of the device advanced out of the delivery system can be between about 3 cm and 6 cm. The distal end 102 can be generally rigid, but provided with some flexibility as the device is advanced through the delivery system by a hinged distal jaw as will be described herein. This flexibility enables the distal end to traverse curves on the range of 0.75 inches to 1.5 inches within the internal diameter of the delivery system which, in some embodiments, may be approximately 5-6 mm.

In embodiments, catheter shaft or body is comprised of a combination of stainless steel braid and coil reinforced nylon or polyurethane to provide axial and torsional rigidity along with flexibility. The components of the distal end, such as the clamping jaws as will be described herein, can be comprised of, for example, medical grade polymers or machined stainless steel. The distal end 102 of the catheter 100 includes a distal jaw 106 and a proximal jaw 108 and mechanisms that actuate the jaws between their respective positions depending on the portion of the procedure being done, as will be described herein. Distal jaw 106 is hingedly attached to a rail 110. Proximal jaw 108 is selectively slideable along rail 110 and can include a loop 109 configured as a wire extending upwardly therefrom. In embodiments, wire loop 109 can be formed from a shape memory material such as, e.g., nitinol. In operation, distal jaw 106 can selectively be actuated between a first position shown in FIG. 1A and a second position shown in FIGS. 1B-1C. Proximal jaw 108 can selectively slide along rail 110 between a first, proximal position depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B and second, distal position depicted in FIG. 1C. In another embodiment, the proximal jaw 108 can be fixed in its axial movement and the rail 110 with the distal jaw 106 attached can slide distally from a first position with respect to the fixed proximal jaw to a second position to effectively increase the distance between the proximal jaw and the distal jaw.

Referring now also to FIG. 2A-2B, further details regarding the distal jaw 106 according to an embodiment will be described. Distal jaw 106 includes a leaflet clamping surface having a plurality of stepped ridges 112 configured to enhance the ability of the jaws to clamp and retain a valve leaflet. Distal jaw 106 further includes a rail opening 114 and a pair of aligned apertures 116 extending through distal jaw 106. Rail opening 114 is configured to receive a distal end of rail 110 (see FIG. 1A) with the apertures 116 configured to receive a pin, rod, etc. that extends through a corresponding aperture in rail 110 to form the hinged attachment between distal jaw 106 and rail 110. Distal jaw 106 further includes a pair of clamping face openings 118. A portion of clamping face openings 118 extends completely through the distal jaw 106 whereas another portion extends only partway through due to the presence of ledges 120. A distal post 122 extends upwardly from and a distal aperture 124 extends through each ledge 120. Clamping face openings 118 further each define a pair of intermediate tabs 126. A recessed opening 130 also extends through a ledge 128 extending between the openings 118.

Referring now to FIG. 3, further details regarding an embodiment of a proximal clamping jaw 108 are depicted. Proximal jaw 108 includes a rail opening 132 that conforms to a shape of the rail 110 (see FIG. 1A) to enable proximal jaw 108 to selectively slide along rail 110. Proximal jaw 108 further includes a distal clamping face 134 having a pair of elongate slots 136 therethrough. Elongate slots 136 each define both a suture slot 138 and a needle hole 140. An actuator aperture 142 is further defined through proximal jaw 108.

As noted above, and with reference again to FIGS. 1A-1C, distal jaw 106 can be actuated between at least two positions. The first, delivery position is depicted in FIG. 1A and includes the distal jaw 106 being positioned at an obtuse angle (i.e., an angle between 90 and 180 degrees) relative to the rail 110. In the depicted embodiment, the distal jaw 106 is positioned approximately 120 degrees relative to the rail. The delivery position is the configuration in which the distal end 102 is delivered through the delivery system to the point of use (i.e., adjacent a valve leaflet). The second, clamping position is depicted in FIGS. 1B-1C and includes the distal jaw 106 positioned at a right angle or acute angle (less than 90 degrees) relative to the rail 110. In the depicted embodiment, the distal jaw 106 has been actuated approximately 90 degrees relative to the first position, such that the jaw 106 is positioned at an approximately 60 degree angle relative to the rail 110. The clamping position is the position the distal jaw 106 is moved to when the jaw 106 has been positioned inferior to a leaflet to enable to jaw surface to contact and stabilize the leaflet for capture of the leaflet.

Actuation of the distal jaw 106 between the delivery position and the clamping position is accomplished with a flexible member 144. In embodiments, flexible member 144 can be a nitinol wire. Flexible member 144 can extend through a lumen 146 through the catheter shaft or body 104 and the rail 110 and exits lumen 146 at a distal face of the rail 110. The distal end of the flexible member 144 attaches to the distal jaw 106. Although not depicted as such in FIGS. 1B-1C, in embodiments the flexible member 144 can be attached to the distal jaw 106 via one or more of distal apertures 124. When this flexible member 144 is further extended from the lumen 146, its connection to the distal jaw 106 moves the jaw from the first, delivery position in which it is delivered to the second, clamping position in which is able to contact the inferior surface of the valve leaflet. The distal jaw 106 can be moved back to the delivery position by pulling on the flexible member 144. Flexible member 144 can be controlled with sliding movement of an actuator disposed at a proximal end of the device.

The proximal jaw 108 is actuated with a flexible proximal jaw actuator rod 148, as shown in FIG. 1C, that connects to the actuator aperture 142 of the proximal jaw 108. The actuator rod 148 can be pushed moved an actuator control at the proximal end of the device to advance the proximal jaw 108 along the rail 110 to close the distance between the proximal jaw 108 and the distal jaw 106 to clamp a leaflet therebetween. Wire loop 109 on proximal jaw 108 is configured to approximately mate (on opposite sides of the leaflet) with the distal jaw 106 when both jaws have been actuated to the clamping position. When the proximal jaw 108 is advanced to the actuated distal jaw 106 with the valve leaflet between them, it will provide pressure to stabilize the leaflet between the jaws while minimizing potential damage to the leaflet. In some embodiments, distal clamping face of proximal jaw 108 can be angled to match the angle of distal jaw 106 in the clamping position (i.e., approximately 60 degrees in the depicted embodiment).

The above-described jaw configuration provides a number of advantages. One advantage is that it allows for relatively large surface areas to be included in the clamping portion of the jaw by providing for a first configuration in which the larger distal jaw can more easily be delivered and a second, different configuration in which the larger jaw is employed to capture and retain a leaflet. Another advantage is that the hinged connection reduces the rigid length of the device while still allowing a large jaw opening distance. It does this by allowing the hinged distal jaw to flex as needed while the system is advanced through the small radius that is required for delivery to the mitral valve through the vasculature and a septal puncture.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict schematic representations of an embodiment of a manner in which one or more sutures can be routed through the device 100. FIG. 4B depicts device without the proximal jaw 108 and distal jaw 106 as well as a single suture 10 for sake of clarity. FIG. 4A depicts a pair of sutures 10 carried side by side in device 100. Because each suture is routed through device in an identical but side by side manner, only the routing of a single suture 10 will be described in detail. In embodiments, one or more sutures can be preinstalled in the catheter prior to delivery to the end user (i.e., surgeon).

Suture 10 can be configured in a continuous loop through device 100. The routing of the suture 10 through the distal jaw is done by securing a first distal end suture loop 12 portion around the distal post 122 on the leaflet clamping surface side of the distal jaw 106. The suture 10 then extends from both sides of the post and around the opposite side of the intermediate tabs 126 in the distal clamping jaw 106, through the suture slots 138 in the proximal jaw 108 and then into a suture channel extending through the catheter body 104. Within each suture channel of the catheter body 104, both legs of the suture 10 are doubled with the resulting proximal double loop 14 of suture 10 being held with a separate looped suture 20 which is connected within the proximal control handle 150 by a spring 22 to keep tension on the suture 10 to keep it in place in the catheter body 104. The second, proximal end suture loop 16 extends from the doubling point 14 distally until it is looped around a needle support tube 152 through which the needle is advanced to penetrate the leaflet and insert the suture around the leaflet.

The proximal control mechanism 150 for the device 100, depicted schematically in FIG. 4B, consists of a main body that allows comfortable access to the controls of the device. The separate looped suture 20 is secured in the handle 150 by a spring 22 at one end of the loop 20, and a disengageable connection 24 at the other. As shown in FIG. 5A, the needle 154 extends through the control mechanism 150 and the proximal end of the needle contains a handle 156 which allows for comfortable access and control of the needle 154. The control handle also houses two sliding controls (not depicted). The first sliding control is connected to the distal jaw actuator such as flexible member 144 extending through a lumen in the catheter body 104. Distal relative movement of the first slider with respect to the control handle 150 will actuate the distal jaw 108. The second sliding control is connected by a flexible rod 148 extending through the catheter body 104 to the proximal jaw 108. Distal relative movement of the second slider with respect to the control handle 150 will actuate the proximal jaw 108. Further details regarding proximal controls for control elements at a distal end of a leaflet capture catheter can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/647,162, filed Mar. 23, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict a sequence of steps of an embodiment of using device 100 to insert one or more sutures into a valve leaflet and FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of method steps 200 corresponding to the sequence. FIGS. 5A-5D depict the device 100 without the distal jaw 106 and proximal jaw 108 for sake of clarity. In step 202, the device is inserted through the delivery system with the distal jaw in the un-actuated, first delivery configuration. In embodiments, access into the heart adjacent the mitral valve can be gained intravascularly as described herein. Further details regarding such access can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/647,162 incorporated by reference above. In embodiments, the device is inserted with two sutures 10 loaded into the device, though only a single suture 10 is depicted in FIGS. 5A-5D for sake of clarity.

After exiting the delivery system, the distal jaw of the device is advanced below the level of the mitral valve at step 204 and the distal jaw is actuated at step 206 moving the jaw to an angle in which it will contact the valve leaflet. After the device is positioned to the desired point of leaflet attachment, the system is moved superiorly at step 208 with respect to the valve until the lower (distal) jaw contacts the inferior side of the valve leaflet. The proximal jaw is then actuated at step 210 by sliding it along the rail until the leaflet is clamped and stabilized between the jaws.

Once the leaflet 30 is stabilized between the jaws, the needle 154 is advanced at step 212 puncturing the valve leaflet and extended through an opening in the distal jaw and between the suture segments that are positioned around the post and intermediate tabs in the distal jaw. The needle 154 is then retracted which engages the suture with the hook in the needle profile as shown in FIG. 5A at step 214. This pulls the distal suture loop 12 off from the distal post of the distal jaw and the needle can then pull the suture loop through the puncture in the valve leaflet 30 at step 216 as depicted in FIG. 5B. Due to the angle geometry of the intermediate tabs 126, a distal portion of the suture will remain wrapped around them keeping this distal portion of the suture from contacting the distal side of the leaflet. This enables the suture to be tightened without putting force on the leaflet that could potentially damage the leaflet. With the needle 154 on the proximal side of the valve leaflet 30 and the distal suture loop 12 in the needle hook, the disengageable connection 24 to the proximal suture loop 16 via the separate suture 20 looped around the double loop 14 is released in the control handle at step 218. Further retraction of the needle 154 at step 220 will then pull the proximal loop 16 distally into the system. At the point that the needle 154 is fully pulled from the system with the distal suture loop 12 that is in the needle 154 exposed, the resulting girth hitch knot 26 is very close to being tightened at the distal end of the system as depicted in FIG. 5C. The final step 222 to tighten the knot 26 is when the secured distal loop 12 is pulled distally from the needle tube allowing the knot 26 to be secured at the leaflet as depicted in FIG. 5D.

Once the knot 26 is tightened on the leaflet 30, the delivery system can be retracted at step 224. To do so, the proximal jaw may be released and moved proximally, un-clamping the valve leaflet. The distal jaw is then un-actuated. The change in the distal jaw angle releases the suture from intermediate tabs 126 in the distal jaw which then fully detaches the system from the leaflet. The catheter can then be retracted into the delivery system or the optional second suture may be delivered by moving the system to a different position along the leaflet and repeating the process sequence described above. Once one or more sutures have been attached to the leaflet, the suture(s) can be adjusted to provide an appropriate length and/or tension for proper valve function and anchored.

FIG. 7 depicts another distal end of a leaflet capture catheter 302 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the proximal jaw 308 is stationary and longitudinally fixed in place. Rail 310 can be slidable to adjust the distance between proximal jaw 308 and distal jaw 306 to aid in leaflet capture as will be discussed in more detail below with regard to FIGS. 8A-8D. As with leaflet capture catheter 102, the distal jaw 306 can be pivotable to also aid in leaflet capture. Each needle 322 can include a keying wire 323 that retains the needle in place distally of the needle lumens 325. In one embodiment, keying wire 323 can be provided with a forward bias and the needle 322 a backward bias to keep the needle in place and when the needle 322 is pushed forward the wire 323 drops out of the path of the needle 322. In another embodiment, the keying wire 323 can be retracted, such as with a control element on the proximal handle of the device attached to the wire, such that no spring biases are utilized. As will be discussed in more detail below, this embodiment depicts two sets of fiber optic cables 359 (each including one transmission fiber and one return fiber) disposed in fiber optic channels at the distal clamping face 334 of the proximal jaw 108 to aid in verifying proper leaflet capture. The depicted embodiment further includes a stabilizing loop 314 as described in more detail below. Leaflet capture catheter 302 can further include any feature described with respect to the other embodiments disclosed herein.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict another distal end of a leaflet capture catheter 402 according to an embodiment. This embodiment can be configured to carry only a single suture and a single needle 454 and can have a single pair of fiber optics 459 in a fiber optic channel 457. Distal jaw 406 can be hingedly attached to rail 410. Rail 410 can be slideable with respect to proximal jaw 408 to adjust a separation distance between the jaws 408, 410. Referring to FIGS. 8C-8D, rail 410 can have limited length and be connected to a hypotube (not pictured) controllable from the proximal handle to slide rail 410 within a rail channel 409 defined in proximal clamping jaw 408. Proximal jaw 408 can further including a locking tab 411 that can mechanically interact with a locking feature on rail 410 to prevent the rail 410 from being completed moved distally from the rail channel 409. In embodiments, the rail 410 can be biased proximally, towards a closed position with a spring force that is overcome to open the jaws, which enables the jaws to remain clamped around a leaflet once a leaflet is captured. Referring to FIG. 8A, the needle channel 415 along proximal jaw 408 across which the needle 454 travels to engage the leaflet can be ramped at an upwards angle to ensure the leaflet is pierced sufficiently above the leaflet edge. Leaflet capture catheter 402 can further include any feature described with respect to the other embodiments disclosed herein.

FIGS. 8E-8F depict alternatives as to how a suture can be routed to the distal capture jaw of any of the leaflet capture catheters disclosed herein including, for exemplary purposes, leaflet capture catheter 402. Referring to FIG. 8E, in this embodiment the suture 10 extends from a lumen 438 in the proximal clamping jaw 408, with each strand 11 of the suture extending around a channel 473 one either side of the proximal clamping jaw 408. The strands then extend up and form a loop at the distal clamping jaw for retrieval by the needle 454. The suture 10 extends back to the proximal handle control where it can be maintained under an appropriate tension for retrieval by the needle. In this embodiment, the suture lumen 438 is positioned above the needle 454 such that the suture 10 emerges from the proximal clamping jaw 408 from above the needle 454. Referring now to FIG. 8F, in this embodiment the suture 10 extends from a lumen 438 in a lower part of the proximal clamping jaw 408 below the needle 454 and wraps around the needle tube 452 containing the needle 454. Both suture ends 11 then extend along the same channel 473 on a single side of the proximal clamping jaw 408 and to the distal clamping jaw 406. The suture 10 also can then extend back to the proximal handle control. For suture capture by the needle 454, the suture 10 is released from the needle tube 452 by an actuation means, such as a control mechanism that attaches to and withdraws the tube or a wire that holds the suture on the tube and is then retracted, for example. In each of these embodiments, the suture 10 can be held in the proximal jaw by a variety of means including, for example, with features such as the distal posts 122 and intermediate tabs 126 described above.

Both of the embodiments of FIGS. 8E-8F greatly simply the suture routing and tensioning aspects of the device with respect to, for example, FIG. 4B. The suture 10 in these embodiments is no longer folded in half and can extend back to the handle, eliminating the need for the separate looped suture 20 and disengageable connection 24 as well as, in the embodiment of FIG. 8E, the proximal end suture loop 16 around the needle tube 152.

FIGS. 9A-12E depict various aspects of additional embodiments of a distal leaflet capture assembly 1102 for a leaflet capture catheter. Referring to FIGS. 9A-9B, leaflet capture assembly 1102 can generally include a shaft 1106, a proximal clamping jaw 1108 extending therefrom, a distal clamping jaw 1110 and a nose cone 1112. In one embodiment, distal clamping jaw 1110 is stationary and proximal clamping jaw 1108 is longitudinally slidable with respect to distal clamping jaw 1110 to aid in capturing a leaflet therebetween. In another embodiment, proximal clamping jaw 1108 is stationary and distal clamping jaw 1110 is slidable. Nose cone 1112 is slidable relative to distal clamping jaw 1110 and aids in suture retention and capture, as will be discussed in further detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, in some embodiments leaflet capture assembly 1102 can include one or more leaflet stabilizing loops 1114. A stabilizing loop 1114 can comprise a wire having opposing ends extending from openings 1116 in or adjacent the proximal clamping jaw 1108 and/or the distal clamping jaw 1110 and forming a looped shape therebetween. Stabilizing loops 1114 provide additional area for leaflet contact in order to increase the time and efficiency of leaflet capture. Stabilizing loops 1114 further provide additional support for the leaflet when the needle and suture are traversed through the leaflet. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C there are stabilizing loops 1114 on both jaws. In another embodiment, as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 11A-11B, there is a stabilizing loop 1114 only on the distal clamping jaw 1110.

The one or more stabilizing loops 1114 can be collapsible such that they conform to the shape of the leaflet capture assembly 1102 as shown in, for example, FIG. 10A when contained within the guide catheters during insertion. When the leaflet capture assembly 1102 is extended from the guide catheters, the one or more stabilizing loops can passively flex outward without requiring any actuating force into a position such as that shown in FIG. 8C to provide an expanded capture and support surface for the leaflet. In one embodiment, this can be accomplished by constructing the stabilizing loops of a shape memory material such as, for example, Nitinol. When the leaflet capture assembly 1102 is withdrawn back into the guide catheters following suture deployment, the stabilizing loops can again collapse, as depicted in, for example, FIG. 8B. In this manner, stabilizing loops 1114 effectively increase the size of the capture surface of the jaws without increasing the size of the device profile. In some embodiments, proximal clamping jaw 1108, distal clamping jaw 1110 and/or nose cone 1112 can include one or more recesses 1118, grooves 1120, etc. that accommodate and/or retain a corresponding stabilizing loop 1114 in the collapsed position.

In a further embodiment, a stabilizing element as described above can be comprised of a solid portion of material rather than a wire loop and that encompasses the same area as the loop 1114. Such a stabilizing similarly serves to increase the effective capture area of the device while being collapsible so as not to increase the device profile. Such an element can be a flexible, self-actuating element similar to stabilizing loops or can in other embodiments be actuated by connection to a sliding element or rod extending to and actuated from the proximal handle control. Such a stabilizing element could in some embodiments be hinged to allow it to be brought into contact and removed from contact with the leaflet by such a sliding element actuated by the proximal handle control or by a spring force of the hinge.

As noted above, one or more stabilizing loops 1114 or elements can significantly increase the capture surface area relative to clamping jaws 1108, 1110 alone. In one embodiment, the capture surface area of clamping jaws defined by the facing clamping faces of jaws is approximately 18 mm² and when one or more stabilizing loops is deployed, the capture area provided by the combination of the jaw and the loop is approximately 52.19 mm², and increase of approximately 290% that more than doubles and nearly triples the capture surface area. Further, because stabilizing loop(s) are collapsible this increased surface area can be obtained without increasing the device profile. For example, in the described embodiment, the device profile or diameter is 18 French whereas transapical heart valve repair devices as described herein can have a diameter of 28 French.

Leaflet capture assembly 1102 may further include one or more needles configured to puncture a captured leaflet and draw a suture through the leaflet. FIGS. 11A-11B depict an embodiment having a pair of needles 1122 each configured to be extended from a corresponding channel 1124 in the proximal clamping jaw 1108. As can be seen in FIG. 11C, in one embodiment each needle 1122 can include a needle end 1126 having a ramp portion 1128 and a hook forming a notch 1130. These features enable the needle end 1126 to be advanced passed a suture that is tensioned across the distal clamping jaw 1110 (discussed in more detail below) after penetrating the leaflet and withdrawn to retrieve the suture and pull it through the leaflet. As the needle end 1126 is advanced, the ramp portion 1128 of the needle 1122 will contact the suture and displace the suture slightly as it goes by without dislodging the suture. When the needle 1122 is retrieved, the suture is aligned with the notch 1130 and captured therein. Further detail regarding retrieval of a suture through a valve leaflet with such a needle can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0364875, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 12A-12F, further details regarding various components of embodiments of leaflet capture assemblies 1102 are depicted. A shaft 1106 is depicted in FIG. 12A and a proximal clamping jaw 1108 configured to extend from a distal end 1132 of shaft 1106 is depicted in FIG. 12B. A suture retainer 1107 that seats within a retainer recess 1134 in proximal clamping jaw 1108 is depicted in FIG. 12C. A distal clamping jaw 1110 and corresponding nose cone 1112 configured to be positioned at a distal end 1136 of the distal clamping jaw 1110 are depicted in FIGS. 12E and 12F, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 12A, shaft 1106 defines a generally cylindrical body 1138 and a plurality of channels or lumens that extend through the body 1138 to the distal end 1132 of the shaft. Shaft body 1138 is comprised of a flexible material to enable the shaft 1106 to be routed through the guide catheters in the patient's vasculature. Channels can include one or more needle channels 1125 through which a needle 1122 can be inserted from a proximal end of the shaft to be extended out of the distal end 1132 of the shaft 1125 and through which needle 1122 can be withdrawn after retaining a suture. Suture retainer rod channels 1140 adjacent the needle channel 1125 are configured to guide rods that extend to and control positioning of the suture retainer 1107, as will be described in more detail below. A suture channel 1142 is configured to contain and guide a suture 1101 through the device prior to retrieval of the suture by the needle 1122. Channels can further include nose cone control channels 1144 through which rods that extend to and control positioning of the nose cone 1112 are guided. In some embodiments, shaft 1106 may further include a channel or lumen through which a rod or rods for controlling movement of the proximal clamping jaw 1108, as described below, can extend. Alternatively, the proximal clamping jaw control rod(s) can extend through the shaft through one or more open areas between the channels depicted in FIG. 12A. In some embodiments, shaft 1106 further includes one or more stabilizing rods 1141 that provide structural reinforcement for the flexible shaft 1106.

An embodiment of a proximal clamping jaw 1108 is depicted in FIG. 12B. Proximal clamping jaw 1108 includes a proximal shaft body 1150 and a proximal jaw body 1152. Body 1150 and jaw 1152 can partially confirm to the shape of the shaft 1106 and include a generally planar bottom surface 1151 that interfaces with distal clamping jaw 1110. Proximal jaw body 1152 includes a retainer recess 1134 configured to receive proximal suture retainer 1107 (depicted in more detail in FIG. 10C). A needle channel 1124 aligns with the needle channel 1125 of the shaft 1106 and extends through the proximal shaft body 1150 and the proximal jaw body 1152. Retainer rod channels 1141 extend through body 1150 and align with retainer rod channels 1140 of shaft 1106 to accommodate suture retainer rods 1159 use to control the suture retainer 107 as described below. Proximal jaw body 1152 defines a distally facing clamping face 1156 and further defines a slot 1158 extending from the needle channel 1124 along the clamping face 1156.

FIG. 12C depicts an embodiment of suture retainer 1107 configured to be disposed within the retainer recess 1134 of the proximal clamping jaw 1106. Suture retainer 1107 includes a needle channel 1155 configured to enable passage of the needle 1125 and connects to one or more suture retainer rods 1159, as shown in, e.g., FIG. 12D. As can further be seen in FIG. 12D, a loop 1103 of suture 1101 can be positioned adjacent the suture retainer 1107 and clamped within retainer recess 1134 of proximal clamping jaw 1108 by clamp 1109 to secure a loop 1103 of the suture 1101 in place prior to retrieval of the suture with the needle 1122. As will be described below, the suture retainer 1107 can be moved proximally via rods 1159 to release the suture 1101.

An embodiment of a distal clamping jaw 1110 is depicted in FIG. 12E. Distal clamping jaw includes jaw shaft 1109 and clamping body 1160. Jaw shaft 1109 interfaces with bottom 1151 of proximal clamping jaw 1108 to form a generally cylindrical profile. Clamping body 1160 includes a proximally facing clamping face 1162 and a needle channel 1165 that is aligned with needle channels 1124, 1125 and 1155 to enable the needle 1122 to be able to travel through clamping body 1160. A suture lumen 1172 is also defined through clamping body 1160 and a slot 1176 can extend through the clamping body 1160 between the needle channel 1165 and the suture channel 1168. Suture lumen 1172 can extending internally through jaw shaft 1109 and align with suture lumen 1142 though shaft 1106. Slot 1176 can interface with suture channel 1173 in jaw shaft 1109.

The nose cone 1112, an embodiment of which is depicted in FIG. 12F, can be selectively positioned with respect to the distal clamping jaw 1110 by a pair of nose cone control rods 1166 that extend through the nose cone control channels 1144 in the shaft 1106 and into and through jaw nose cone channels 1164 through the jaw shaft 1109 and clamping body 1160 of the distal clamping jaw 1160. The nose cone control rods 1166 attached to the nose cone 1112 in corresponding nose cone channels 1174 to enable control of the relative positioning of the nose cone 1112 with respect to the distal clamping jaw 1110. The nose cone 1112 can further include a plurality of suture rods 1170 that can be selectively positioned within corresponding suture rod channels 1168 in the clamping body 1160 of the distal clamping jaw 1110. In other embodiments, nose cone 1112 can be opened by a spring force when actuated and/or by a hinged attachment to the distal clamping jaw 1110. Nose cone 1112 in the depicted embodiment has generally conical shape due to its location at the distal-most end of leaflet capture catheter to provide an atraumatic shape for insertion into the delivery system and the heart. However, nose cone can be provided with different shapes and, in some embodiments, could be positioned proximal to clamping body 1160 of distal clamping jaw 1110 rather than distal, as the primary function of the nose cone is to hold the suture in place to be engaged by the needle.

FIGS. 13A-13E depict in further detail the manner in which a suture 1101 is contained by the distal capture assembly 1102 of the leaflet capture catheter 1100 prior to retrieval of the suture 1101 according to an embodiment. Suture 1101 includes a suture loop 1103 in the retainer recess 1134 adjacent the suture retainer 1107 and a pair of suture strands 1105 adjacent the distal end 1136 of the distal clamping jaw 1110 between the distal clamping jaw 1110 and the nose cone 1112. The suture loop 1103 is retained in the retainer recess 1134 by the suture retainer 1107 with a first length of the two suture strands 1105 a extending along the channel 1173 through the slot 1176 in the distal end 1136 of the distal clamping jaw 1110, where they are wrapped around the suture rods 1170 of the nose cone 1112 in tension to aid in capture by the needle 1122. Suture strands 1105 are held in place around suture rods 1170 by compression between the nose cone 1112 and the distal end 1136 of the distal clamping jaw 1110. (Note that for clarity in these Figures the nose cone is shown displaced from the distal clamping jaw 1110, but in the described initial configuration the suture rods 1170 would be inserted into suture rod channels 1168 with the suture 1101 held securely therebetween.) A second length of the suture strands 1105 b then extends back through the internal suture lumen 1172 of the distal clamping jaw 1110 and is subsequently routed through the suture channel 1142 in the shaft 1106 (See FIG. 12A). In an alternative embodiment, the suture can consist of a loop of suture at the end of a single suture strand. Such a loop would be sized specifically to enable fixation around an edge of the leaflet with the single strand extending from the loop/leaflet to the anchor point below the leaflet.

After a leaflet has been captured between the jaws 1108, 1110, the needle end 1126 of needle 1122 is advanced through needle channels 1124, 1125, 1155 and 1165 past the suture 1101 as described above and then retracted to retrieve the suture 1101 in the notch 1130 of the needle end 1126. The nose cone 1112 can then be advanced distally to release the suture ends 1105 held there and the suture ends 1155 are pulled back through the suture loop 1103 with the needle 1122. The suture retainer 1107 is then retracted proximally to release the suture loop 1103, enabling the loop 1103 to be tightened around the leaflet in a girth hitch knot as the suture ends 105 are further withdrawn and the device externalized. Further details regarding formation of such knots around heart valve leaflets can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0290582, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 14A-14G depict a proximal handle control 1104 for a leaflet capture catheter according to an embodiment. Proximal handle control 1104 is used to control and manipulate the distal leaflet capture assembly 1102 and can include a handle body 1180 and a suture retainer control 1182, a nose cone control 1184 and a clamping jaw control 1186. A needle 1122 can be inserted through device and manually controlled with needle control 1188. FIGS. 14B-14G show the device with portions of the device removed from each Figure for sake of clarity.

FIG. 14B-14D depict handle 1104 with a portion of handle body 1180 removed in order to further illustrate the interrelation between the various control elements in the handle 1104. Clamping jaw control or lever 1186 and suture retainer control or lever 1182 are each connected to an independently movable lever support 1192, 1194 that separately control the corresponding rods controlled by each control lever. Clamping jaw lever 1186 includes a lever body 1190 above which the suture retainer lever 1182 seats and through which the suture retainer lever support 1194 extends. Supports 1192, 1194 each further include apertures through which the needle lumen 1125 extends and which enable the suture retainer lever 182 and the clamping jaw lever 1186 to slide over and move independently of needle lumen 1125. As will be seen below, clamping jaw lever 1186 is only able to then move distally a relatively short amount before clamping jaw lever support 1192 contacts the suture retainer lever support 1194 (see, e.g., FIG. 14F), causing the proximal jaw 1108 and the suture retainer 1107 to move distally in unison with each other. This provides the advantage of keeping the suture loop 1103 firmly clamped by the suture retainer 1107 as the proximal jaw 1108 is advanced to grasp a leaflet.

FIG. 14E depicts the elements related to the nose cone control or lever 1184. The nose cone control or lever 1184 is operably connected to nose cone control rods 1166 to advance and retract the nose cone 1112 relative to the distal clamping jaw 1100. Suture lumen 1142 extends through a portion of the nose cone lever 1184 and between nose control rods 1166 (See FIG. 12A). Nose cone lever 1184 slides over the suture lumen 1142 when operated to move the nose control rods 1166 such that the suture lumen 1142 is not controlled by the nose cone lever 1184. Moving the nose cone 1112 away from the distal jaw 1110 to create a space therebetween enables the suture 1101 to be released from around the suture rods 1170 of the nose cone 1112 as described above.

Further details relating to the suture retainer lever 1182 can be seen in FIG. 14F. Suture retainer lever 1182 is operably connected to suture retainer rods 1159 to move the proximal suture loop retainer 1107 within suture retainer recess 1134 of proximal clamping jaw 1108. In the depicted embodiment, suture retainer rods 1159 are affixed to the base of the suture retainer lever support 1194. Suture retainer lever 1182 can be moved distally to advance the suture retainer 1107 via suture retainer rods 1159 to firmly clamp the suture loop 1103 as described above. Subsequent proximal movement of the suture retainer level 1182 moves the suture retainer 1107 proximally, which, as described above, releases the suture loop to enable the girth hitch knot to be tightened around the leaflet edge.

FIG. 14G depicts further details regarding the clamping jaw lever 1186 used to control the proximal clamping jaw 1108. Lever body 1190 includes an opening 1196 through which suture retainer lever support 1194 extends and that is larger than the portion of the lever support 1194 that extends therethrough to enable independent movement of the suture retainer lever 1182. A clamping jaw rod 1187 extends from clamping jaw lever support 1192 to the proximal clamping jaw 1108 such that distal and proximal movement of the clamping jaw lever 186 causes a corresponding movement of the jaw 1108. In the depicted embodiment, a spring 1198 is disposed between the clamping jaw lever support 1192 and the suture retainer lever support 1194. This causes the proximal clamping jaw 1108 to be biased proximally, such that distal movement of the clamping jaw lever 1186 must overcome the spring force to close the space between the jaws 1108, 1110 and upon releasing the lever 1186 the proximal clamping jaw 1108 will automatically spring proximally back to a more open position. Correspondingly, spring 1198 will cause the suture retainer lever 1196 to be biased distally. In another embodiment, the proximal clamping jaw 1108 is distally biased into a closed position with respect to the distal clamping jaw 1110, such that the clamping jaw lever 1186 must be actuated to open the jaws and then the jaws will automatically close when the lever 1186 is released.

The needle 1122, as shown in FIG. 14H, extends through needle lumen 1125 and is manually controlled by a user with the needle handle 1188. Needle handle 1188 is provided with an asymmetric shape configured to match a shape of an opening 1189 in handle 1104 (see also FIG. 14C). This ensures that the needle 1122 is in the correct orientation to capture the suture when actuated (as described above).

In some embodiments, one or more channels through the device could alternatively accommodate or could additionally be added to incorporate fiber optic capture confirmation elements. In such an embodiment, one or more pairs of transmission and return fibers run through the device to enable the capture confirmation system to provide a binary indication of whether the valve leaflet is grasped between the clamping jaws by displaying a first color when a surface of the valve leaflet confronts the fiber optic pairs and a second color (e.g., of blood) when the valve leaflet does not confront the fiber optic pairs at the interior surfaces. FIGS. 12A-12B depict one such embodiment. Referring to FIG. 15A, one or more fiber optic channels 1157 can be provided along the slot 1158 in the clamping face 1156 of the proximal clamping jaw 1108. As depicted in FIG. 15B, one or more indicator lights 1281 can be provided on handle body 1280 of proximal handle control to provide one or more indications of whether or not the leaflet is captured between the clamping jaws from the fiber optics extending through the channels 1257. Further detail regarding fiber optic capture confirmation of a valve leaflet in a beating heart of a patient can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,465,500 and 8,758,393, previously incorporated herein by reference.

In various embodiments, leaflet capture catheters as described herein are configured to access the heart intravascularly for leaflet repair. FIG. 16 depicts a schematic representation of an embodiment of an access approach for a heart valve repair system including a leaflet capture catheter accessing the mitral valve 10. FIG. 16 depicts a guide catheter 14 accessing the interior of the heart via the femoral vein. In some embodiments, such a system can further include an outer guide catheter and an inner guide catheter. In such embodiments, the outer guide catheter can be inserted into the femoral vein at the patient's groin and advanced through the femoral vein into the inferior vena cava 19 and then into the right atrium 16. In various embodiments, the outer guide catheter can be steerable in a single plane and can have an outer diameter of 24 french. The septum 18 can then be punctured using an appropriate puncture tool and the outer guide catheter advanced into the septum 18 or through the septum 18 into the left atrium 20. The inner guide catheter can then be axially advanced through the outer guide catheter into the left atrium 20. In some embodiments, the inner guide catheter can have two plans of steerability and can be maneuvered along with and/or beyond the outer guide catheter to establish a stable position superior to the mitral valve 10 and to provide a desired trajectory for operation of the leaflet capture catheter 100 (not pictured in FIG. 16) to repair the valve, as discussed below.

Schematic representations of various steps of a method of repairing a heart valve by inserting a suture into a valve leaflet with a leaflet capture catheter 102, 1102 as described herein are depicted in FIGS. 17A-17G. In one embodiment, leaflet capture catheter 1102 is preloaded with a suture positioned as described above. Referring to FIG. 17A, after transseptal access to the right atrium is obtained, for example as described above with respect to FIG. 14, the leaflet capture catheter 1102 is positioned superior to the mitral valve 10. As the distal capture assembly is extended from the guide catheter 14, the stabilizing loop 1114 automatically transitions from its collapsed position to its extended position because it is no longer constrained by the guide catheter 14. The distal capture assembly 1102 can be further advanced to position the distal clamping jaw 1110 and the proximal clamping jaw 1108 around a leaflet 11 as shown in FIG. 17B, with the stabilizing loop 1114 helping to guide and restrain the leaflet 11 between the jaws 1108, 1110. The proximal clamping jaw 1110 can then be advanced by actuating the clamping jaw lever 1186 to clamp the leaflet 11 between the jaws 1108, 1110 as shown in FIG. 17C.

Referring now to FIG. 17D, once the leaflet 11 is firmly clamped between the jaws 1108, 1110, the needle 1122 can be actuated with the needle lever 1188 at the proximal end of the device to puncture the leaflet. The needle 1122 is then retracted through the leaflet 11 to retrieve the suture 1101 as described above. The proximal jaw 1108 can then be retracted and the distal capture assembly 1102 disengaged from the leaflet 11 with a loop of suture 1101 extending through the leaflet 11 as depicted in FIG. 17F. Distal capture assembly 1102 can then be withdrawn into the guide catheter 14. As can be seen in FIG. 17G, stabilizing loop 1114 will automatically be collapsed when contacting guide catheter 14 to conform to the shape of the leaflet capture catheter 100 to enable withdrawal of the leaflet capture catheter 1102 from the body through the guide catheter 14. Subsequently, the free ends of the suture extending from the suture loop through the leaflet can be anchored in the heart.

Although specifically described with respect to the mitral valve, it should be understood the devices described herein could be used to treat any other malfunctioning valve, such as the tricuspid and aortic valves. Further, although it should be understood that the devices described in the present application could be implanted into the beating heart of the patient via various access approaches known in the art, including transapical approaches (e.g., through the apex of the left ventricle) and transvascular approaches, such as transfemorally (through the femoral vein). One example of a transapical access approach that could be employed is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,221, previously incorporated by reference herein. One example of a transvascular access approach that could be employed is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0035757, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. This versatility in access approach enables the access site for the procedure to be tailored to the needs of the patient.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, implantation locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A method of repairing a heart valve by inserting a suture in a valve leaflet of a beating heart of a patient, comprising: inserting a generally flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end into a vasculature of the patient; intravascularly accessing an interior of the heart with a suture attachment assembly operably attached to the distal end of the catheter body, the suture attachment assembly including a rail defining a portion of a clamping jaw, a distal clamping jaw hingedly operably attached to the rail, and a proximal clamping jaw operably attached to the rail; positioning the suture attachment assembly adjacent to a moving heart valve leaflet of the heart; operating a jaw actuator disposed on a control handle operably attached to the proximal end of the catheter body to selectively slide one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw with respect to the other to adjust a distance between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw; capturing the heart valve leaflet between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw; and operating a needle actuator disposed on the control handle to slide a needle from within the catheter body to penetrate the heart valve leaflet to insert a suture through the heart valve leaflet.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising pivoting the distal clamping jaw between a first position with respect to the rail and a second position with respect to the rail after intravascularly accessing an interior of the heart.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein in the first position the distal clamping jaw is aligned generally longitudinally with respect to the rail and in the second position the distal clamping jaw is aligned generally transverse to the rail.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein in the first position the distal clamping jaw is aligned at an obtuse angle with respect to the rail and in the second position the distal clamping jaw is aligned at an acute angle with respect to the rail.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein pivoting the distal clamping jaw includes actuating a distal jaw control on the control handle.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein actuating the distal jaw control includes selectively moving a flexible member extending from the distal jaw control through the catheter body to the distal clamping jaw to pivot the distal clamping jaw.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the flexible member comprises a wire.
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein operating the needle actuator to insert the suture through the heart valve leaflet includes retrieving the suture with the needle from the distal clamping jaw.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising positioning the suture on one or more suture attachment features of the distal clamping jaw under tension in position to be caught by the needle.
 29. The method of claim 20, wherein the suture attachment assembly is less flexible than the catheter body.
 30. The method of claim 20, wherein intravascularly accessing the interior of the heart includes inserting the suture attachment catheter into a left atrium of the patient's heart via a vasculature access to a right atrium of the heart and a transeptal access between the right atrium and the left atrium of the heart.
 31. The method of claim 20, wherein operating the jaw actuator to selectively slide one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw with respect to the other includes selectively sliding the distal clamping jaw with respect to the proximal clamping jaw by sliding the rail within a channel in the proximal clamping jaw.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising interfacing the rail with a rail lock disposed in the channel to prevent the rail from being slid distally entirely out of the channel.
 33. The method of claim 31, where the proximal jaw is longitudinally stationary with respect to the catheter body.
 34. The method of claim 20, wherein operating the jaw actuator to selectively slide one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw with respect to the other includes selectively sliding the proximal clamping jaw with respect to the distal clamping jaw.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein selectively sliding the proximal clamping jaw with respect to the distal clamping jaw includes sliding the proximal clamping jaw along the rail with the jaw actuator.
 36. The method of claim 20, further comprising increasing a capture area of one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw by causing a wire loop connected to the one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw to transition to an expanded position relative to the one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the wire loop extends from the proximal clamping jaw.
 38. The method of claim 36, further comprising enabling the wire loop to automatically transition from a collapsed position to the expanded position by extending the one of the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw out of a delivery catheter.
 39. The method of claim 20, wherein inserting the generally flexible catheter body into the vasculature of the patient includes steering the distal end of the catheter body with a steering mechanism disposed on the control handle. 